Why winters are riskier in a warmer world

Why winters are riskier in a warmer world

From Talking Climate with Katharine Hayhoe by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

March 11, 2026 · 11 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the impact of climate change on winter weather patterns, highlighting both positive and negative outcomes.

🌫️ Good news: London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone cut pollution in half and brought the city into legal air quality compliance 184 years earlier than forecast, proving that climate policy is health policy. ❄️ Not so good news: While average snowfall is declining in many places, a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture: which can mean heavier snow and more dangerous winter extremes where temps stay below freezing. Climate change isn’t eliminating winter; in some places, it’s intensifying it. 🤝 ...

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

Topics covered

  • climate change
  • winter weather
  • pollution
  • health policy
  • extreme weather

Keywords

  • climate policy
  • air quality
  • snowfall
  • winter extremes
  • moisture

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Ultra Low Emissions Zone

Places: London

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